Chapter Twenty-Three
Zach
I wanted to pretend I wasn't nervous about this, but fuck—I just was.
Poppy and I had been dating for six months, and piece by piece, I'd torn down all her walls, shown her day by day that I was going to be there for her and Connor, that I wasn't going to get scared off or disappear on her like the men in her past. All of the grand declarations and love poems in the world wouldn't have proven my allegiance. Poppy was a take-action kind of girl, and so the only way to convince her I would be here, was to show her day by day.
I'd met her parents, and she'd met mine, and now the next step was asking her and Connor to move in with me. I wasn't quite sure how Poppy would react, but I knew I was ready. The idea of waking up to her each morning and sharing our bedtime routine together made my inside go all fucking melty. I was crazy about this girl, and I knew the future I wanted. Since Poppy's lease was up, I needed to ask now, or be stuck waiting another year—an idea that did not appeal to me. I had a feeling she might protest the idea of living together, probably something about Connor needing stability as the reason. But I wasn't going to let her use him as a buffer for doing things that scared her. Not when Connor and I were as thick as thieves. Which was why I hatched my plan today.
"Which one do you think she'd like best, buddy?" I leaned down closer to Connor where he peered wide-eyed into the glass jewelry counter with all of its sparkling earrings, tennis bracelets, and rings.
The saleslady helping us offered a shy smile as she watched us.
Tomorrow was Poppy's twenty-fifth birthday, and she and Connor were coming over for dinner to celebrate. So far, we'd hit the bakery and florist, where Connor got to select a cake and flowers for her and now we were at the jewelry store where it was my turn to spoil her.
Poppy was at home, finishing her poetry collection that would be turned in to Dr. Chan for her final. I was already daydreaming of all the adventures we could take Connor on this summer with both Poppy and Connor out of school…hiking in the mountains, camping, to the old drive-in movie theater I loved when I was a kid.
"What about this one?" Connor asked, pointing at a diamond solitaire in white gold. The kid had damn good taste. It had to be at least two karats.
The saleslady reached inside the cabinet and pulled out the ring. "This is actually more of an engagement ring," she clarified.
"You know, for when two people want to get married," I added, unsure if Connor knew what it meant to get engaged.
His eyes widened and swung over to mine. "You mean, you and my mom ...?"
I sank to my knees so we were eye-level, where we could talk, man-to man. "I love your mom. And I love you too, Connor. And even though I would love to one day marry her, I wouldn't do anything that you weren't ready for."
He thought it over, his eyes narrowing and wandering over the store as he thought. "So you'd be like my dad."
I nodded. "I would be honored."
"And we'd all live together?"
I nodded again. "Yeah."
He continued thinking, his nose scrunching. "Your house or ours?"
"Well, if you guys were okay with it, I was thinking my house."
"Your backyard is pretty awesome." He grinned, flashing his smile that was now sans two front teeth.
"That it is." I almost mentioned that we could build the tree house we'd drawn up, before stopping myself. I didn't want him agreeing to this whole plan because I'd bribed him into it. And the truth was, I'd build that tree house for him whether or not they moved in.
Connor's mouth curved into a huge smile before he turned to look at the saleslady. "We'll take it."
I probably should have asked her to see the price, but I was so in shock, so ridiculously fucking happy that I merely nodded at her.
Then I pulled Connor into a huge hug. "What do you think your mom will say?" Moment of truth. I held my breath while I waited for him to answer.
"Oh, she'll cry for sure." He grinned.
* * *
Later that night, I'd just finished cleaning the dinner dishes while Poppy and Connor moved in to the living room to get more comfortable.
Then I carried a slice of chocolate cake with a single candle lit toward them. Poppy's face lit up in a smile and Connor began singing Happy Birthday, a little off-key, but adorably.
"Make a wish," I encouraged, setting the plate down on the coffee table in front of her.
"But I have everything I could ever need right here." She reached out and squeezed my hand, her other resting on Connor's back as he peered down at the cake like it held magical power.
"Not everything, Mom. Me and Zach got you ..."
I shook my head. "I'll ask her later, buddy."
I'd debated with myself about giving her the ring now, but didn't want Connor's obvious excitement to play into her decision. I needed to know that she wanted me—regardless of anything else. Which meant I needed to propose in private.
Connor looked disappointed, but nodded his understanding.
Poppy's eyebrows drew together as she studied us, but then I nudged her, and she leaned over her cake and blew out the candle.
After cake, champagne for the grownups, and a bubble bath for Connor, I tucked him into the guest room. I'd gotten new sheets just for him—printed with space scenes and faraway galaxies and a rocket-shaped night-light too.
It was only the second time I'd gotten Poppy to agree to a sleepover, and the first was due to a massive snowstorm this past winter that made driving downright treacherous. Tonight was a big deal on its own, but Poppy had no idea about the ring that was burning a hole in my pocket.
I found Poppy in the kitchen pouring us each a second glass of champagne.
"Happy Birthday, Poppy." I pressed a kiss to her mouth and accepted the champagne flute.
"Thank you, Zach. It's been perfect."
"You're finally catching up to me." I'd turned thirty a couple of months ago and Poppy liked pointing out that she was dating an old man.
"I don't think that's how it works." She chuckled and followed me into the living room where we cuddled on the couch and sipped our champagne.
A little voice inside my head pointed out that maybe I was rushing this, that even if I was ready, even if Connor was amenable to the idea, Poppy might not be ready. We'd only been dating six months after all, but when you knew, you just knew. I just hoped we were on the same page.
"What did you have to ask me?" Poppy asked, gazing thoughtfully at me where I sat next to her.
Gathering my courage, I set my glass down on the table.
Rising to my feet, I felt the weight of Poppy's stare as I shoved one hand into my jeans pocket and withdrew the tiny symbol of my love and devotion.
Suddenly standing before her, I wished I'd planned something more romantic, wished I'd written something magical for her. I felt woefully unprepared, and while I'd wanted this to be simple and sincere, I questioned if I'd fucked this up before I even started.
But then I dropped to both knees to kneel before her, and Poppy brought her fingertips to her lips, her expression filled with wonderment.
I opened my palm and set the ring on her legging-covered knee.
"Zach...?" Her tone was filled with surprise, and she sat up straighter, although carefully so as to not disturb the ring where it balanced.
"From that first moment you approached me at the party, you've owned a piece of my heart. You're brilliant and funny and so goddamn beautiful, Poppy. I've fallen in love with you and I'm ready to pledge my forever to you. If you'll have me."
"But what about Connor ... it's so much to ask, Zach."
I shook my head. "It's not too much to ask. I get so much in return—from both of you. You’ve both brought meaning into my life, a purpose, and I’ve known I’ve wanted this, wanted you, wanted forever, from the moment I saw you."
A single tear slipped down her cheek as she watched me.
"And I kind of already cleared it with Connor, anyway. He's cool with it." I couldn't help but smirk.
At this Poppy laughed as the tears fell down her cheeks…and it was the best sound I'd ever heard in the entire world.
"Yes, Zach. Yes!" I grabbed the ring and slid it onto her finger as she all but leaped into my arms.
The ring looked perfect on her slender finger, the sparkly diamond picking up the light so brilliantly.
"You're stuck with me now."
"Forever," she murmured, bringing her lips to mine.
We heard a small shout of approval come from the guest bedroom and pulled apart.
I chuckled. "I think our cheering section approves."